US hopes democracy, press freedom will advance

WASHINGTON—US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, applauding democratic progress in last week’s parliamentary polls, has voiced the hope that democracy and press freedoms would further advance in Pakistan that remains “among the most important” partners in the fight against violent extremism.
“We hope very much that the trends can be positive in Pakistan, that a coalition government, a new government can be formed. We certainly hope that this process of democratisation and of press freedoms can advance in Pakistan,” the under secretary for political affairs stated Thursday afternoon.
Burns told a briefing at the Foreign Press Centre the United States has been desireing to “see a more positive trajectory in the democratization of Pakistan and in press freedoms,” and in this respect acknowledged that “we did see an election which produced a surprising result and an election that clearly spoke to the views of the people there.”
He emphasized that a “very strong interest of the United States is to see that counterterrorism struggle succeed against al-Qaeda and against the Taliban” and added Pakistan remains a vital country for the US in the fight against terrorism. A senior US diplomat confirmed that the Bush Administration is closely studying Senator Joseph Biden’s “far-reaching” proposal that calls for significantly expanding socio-economic development assistance for Pakistan following its historic parliamentary polls last week.
Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte also pledged continued security cooperation with Pakistan in a testimony as he reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the country’s democratic progress, economic prosperity and counterterrorism cooperation with the key South Asian anti-terror ally.
Senator Biden, who witnessed February 18 landmark polls that gave a clear victory to moderate political forces in Pakistan, has advocated a three-fold increase in non-military aid for the country - taking it to U$ 1.5 billion annually from the current around $500 million. The proposal by chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee stresses sustaining the aid level over next ten years.
“This aid should be focused on schools, roads and clinics, and on expanding the development of the tribal border areas,” Biden emphasized, chairing the hearing.
Negroponte vowed to work with Congress towards realizing wide-ranging cooperation. “I note with interest Chairman Biden’s far-reaching proposal on restructuring our assistance to Pakistan, which we are studying closely. We look forward to talking with the Committee about how we can strengthen our commitment to Pakistan’s democratic progress, to economic prosperity, and to continued close cooperation against violent extremism,” Negroponte testified. The deputy secretary reiterated US support for Pakistan’s nine-year, $2 billion Sustainable Development Plan for the Tribal Areas, to which Washington will contribute a total of $750 million over the five years between financial years 2007 and 2011.
He also sought Congressional support on enactment of a requisite legislation for setting up Reconstruction Opportunity Zones in the remote tribal border regions, saying these dedicated zones can play a major role in development of this part of Pakistan and on the other side of the border in Afghanistan.
“This legislation is vital to long-term development, to creating jobs, and to providing an alternative to illicit activities, including terrorism and narco-trafficking, in some of the most troubled regions of Pakistan and in Afghanistan,” Negroponte said. Meanwhile, testifying at another congressional hearing a senior US official said the administration’s request for $ 826 million for Pakistan in the financial year 2008, will help advance the country on the democratic and development tracks. “The $826 million requested supports the Government of Pakistan in fulfilling its vision of a moderate, democratic, and prosperous country at peace with its neighbours and contributing to regional stability”.

—Agencies